Success Factors to Create a Great Team

We've learned that having a co-founder would help managing the start-up company because we, as individuals, could lack some parts of personalities or skill sets that are needed for the company. We also learned that having a great team with variety of skills and the shared values is a critical element for success of the company. From the guest lecturer from the Diamond Kinetics, we also learned that there are teachable skills and non-teachable skills, when we form a team, and we need to balance these aspects out for a great team. Then what is the set rules? How can I make a good team for my start-up company?

I've searched many articles regarding how to make a successful and great team and what the optimal team size would be, but the answers varies a lot. Some says 5 is the magic number, having one of each (i.e. entrepreneur, technical innovator, delivery specialist, sales, and finance) will do (Beermat Entrepreneur 2002). Some says it varies depending on goal of the team and the tasks that the team will do. Some other people say actually a range between 5 and 12 is a good size; 5 to 9 could be good; 6 could be the most often (Wharton 2006). Others recommend to have an internal PR person on the start-up team (Source Link).

Because they are all varying, what I'd want to do here is that summing up those findings in my own words and delivering to the class. From my understanding, entrepreneurs have to be someone who can communicate very well with investors, stakeholders, customers, and team member and has a clear vision. Whatever size the team could be, s/he doesn't have to be a technical person, although it is helpful to have a technical background. If the person is not technical person, it will be helpful to have a technical co-founder or a technical innovator as a team member. Regarding the team size, although I think the team size can depend on the team goals and mandates, I would agree to have a team size of 5 or 6 with external counselor or advisor. Since I am not a too technical person but a person who can communicate well with people and is a great listener, I can be a fit character for entrepreneur/organizer!

Regarding teachable and non-teachable aspects of team mates, I have been wondering what could be those categories. I gained insights from the article published by the Wharton School (2006). According to the website, "the team mental models" are very important. I would call it as a non-teachable skill. The mentality of people, to have a team who has similar and shared stable mentality is non-teachable aspect. Besides that, I want the best skill sets. I would want the best people who have the greatest skill sets I need within the people who have the similar mental models.

What I mean by the similar mentality is not the same nationality, race, age, or gender as me, but has to be the mental models. Being in Heinz College where many backgrounds come around and mingle, I think that having a great skillset is a good aspect to have from team mate, but if s/he is not mentally similar -- a healthy or stable mentality --, that can be a hardest thing to work together. Therefore, first thing is the stable and similar minded mentality; the next thing is the greatest skill sets.

My question for all of you is what would be a non-teachable skill for you to form a great team? Mine was a stable mentality.